Aldridge, Ira (1807?-1867), was the first African American actor to win fame in the Western world. He was best known for his roles in the tragedies of William Shakespeare, especially Othello. Unlike other tragic actors of his day, Aldridge was also a skilled comic actor.
Ira Frederick Aldridge was born either in New York City or Senegal and raised in New York City. In 1825, he left the United States because racial prejudice limited opportunities for black actors. He went to the United Kingdom in 1826 and made his debut as Othello in London. Aldridge also toured other European countries for a number of years and achieved considerable success in Germany and Russia. Aldridge became a British citizen in 1863. He died on Aug. 10, 1867.
See also Shakespeare, William (Othello) .
